Like many lawyers I know, I started my ABA involvement with the Young Lawyers Division. I served in a number of leadership positions and met wonderful people during my years in YLD. Then, as we all have experienced, or will in the future, I got older and no longer qualified as a young lawyer; I aged out. Before turning 36, many lawyers start deciding where they want to be involved in ABA after YLD, and with so many great divisions and sections, it is a difficult decision. I found my home in the LP Division. Below are the top 10 reasons why young lawyers should join the LP. They are also the reasons why I joined and why I stay involved.
1. Law Practice Today
Law Practice Today is a monthly digital publication bringing you the most current issues and trends affecting the legal industry, with content provided by the industry’s best and brightest with real-life expertise. LPT focuses on the practical side of being a lawyer. You’ll find articles on marketing and client relations, career development, finance, technology, and managing your practice. Whether solo/small firm, mid-size or big law and regardless of practice area, LPT keeps you at the forefront. And, if you’re looking to write, LPT is the perfect platform!
2. Top Technology Resources
In today’s legal market, technology is changing how attorneys practice law. LP is on the forefront of technology for the legal profession. LP has books, webinars, ABA TECHSHOW, the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center, and Law Technology Today—all of the information and resources that you need to develop, maintain, and grow your practice using technology.
3. Tools to Grow Your Business
LP also concentrates on business development and marketing. Membership is made up of business development coaches, law firm marketing and business development directors, and law firm rainmakers, among others. With the changing legal market place, young lawyers are under more pressure to develop business early on. LP provides the tools to succeed in marketing your brand and developing a book of business early on in your career.
4. We Have Great Content
Content is what we do best. LP offers top-notch books, webinars, magazines, webzines, newsletters, and CLE programming in all of our core areas. If you need information on technology, finance, marketing, or management, we have content for you, much of which is free or discounted. LP also offers numerous opportunities to contribute to our content, through Law Practice Today, our Education Board, Law Technology Today, Law Practice Magazine, and our Publishing Board.
5. Unique Membership
LP’s membership is composed of people from all spectrums of the legal profession. Our members include practitioners at all sized law firms in numerous areas of practices and specialties, as well as members with diverse career backgrounds, from business development gurus to technology wizards.
6. Leadership Opportunities
LP is the home for lawyer leadership within the ABA. Are you a future leader? The size of our division allows numerous opportunities to get involved in division leadership. LP also offers one of a kind training and leadership programs for young lawyers and diverse attorneys through the LP Fellows Program.
7. Free Meetings
LP quarterly meetings are free! If you are a member of LP, you are invited, at no registration cost. That includes group breakfasts, group lunches, Council lunch (even if you are not a Council member), a welcome reception, and a dinner. LP recently has had meetings in Lake Tahoe, St. Louis, San Diego, Phoenix, West Palm Beach, and Orlando. Future meetings include Greensboro, St. Thomas, New Orleans, and Anchorage.
8. Law Practice Magazine
With over 19,000 subscribers, Law Practice is the leading publication for attorneys in all stages of their career and all manner of law practices. The magazine features immediately practicable content to improve all aspects of lawyers’ practices from technology to management, from marketing to finance. Law Practice has been nominated for numerous editorial awards since its establishment in the mid-1970s.
9. Lessons in Law Firm Management
Are you a solo practitioner? Are you a new associate or a partner in a law firm? Do you want to be in law firm management at some point in your career? LP has you covered with our vast member benefits related to law firm management.
10. ABA Women Rainmakers
As a female or male lawyer, the WRM Committee provides opportunities to contribute to the future of women in the practice of law. From Local Programming to Rainmaking Circles, the ABA Women Rainmakers committee focuses on diversity in our profession with an emphasis on networking, education, mentoring and business development. Join the 425+ members that invest in and benefit from this committee by jumping on a monthly call, partaking in a webinar or attending the Fall Local Program the week of October 5th in your city!
About the Author
Amy L. Drushal is a shareholder with Trenam Law in Tampa, FL. She can be reached at 813.227.7463 or ADrushal@trenam.com.